Amund Maarud

Amund Maarud (born April 7, 1981, Nes, Akershus) is one of Norway's most acclaimed blues and rock guitarists. He began playing at age six on the family farm in Skogbygda, forming the band MaarudKara with his brother Henrik as children. The duo gained national attention in 1997 by placing second in the TV talent show Talentiaden, releasing their debut album First Blues in 1999.

After going solo, Maarud established himself at Oslo's Muddy Waters club and broke through with Ripped, Stripped and Southern Fried (2003). His 2011 album Electric won the Spellemannprisen (Norwegian Grammy) in the Blues category, launching a trilogy completed by Dirt (2012) and Volt (2015).

Beyond his solo work, Maarud has explored multiple creative outlets: the rock band The Grand (2005–2010), the garage-blues-punk duo Morudes with brother Henrik, the instrumental trio Amgala Temple, and a country collaboration with Lucky Lips. He and Henrik own and operate Snaxville Studio and the label Snaxville Recordings at their family farm.

His accolades include the Edvard-prisen (2016), the Bluesprisen at Notodden Blues Festival (2016), and a star on the Blues Walk of Fame in Notodden (2018) — placing him alongside BB King and Ry Cooder. Maarud also lectures as a Master Class instructor in the Blues Programme at the University of South-Eastern Norway.